title: [Molecular classification and markers of malignant melanoma].
abstract: Pathological classification of malignant melanoma did not change in the past decade, it was just completed with UV-induced skin alterations. A new feature, however, is the establishment of molecular classification of melanoma indicating that beside the most frequent genetic alterations (BRAF, NRAS, CKIT mutations) there is a wide variety of rare molecular subclasses. Unfortunately, none of these genetic alterations can be used to discriminate benign lesions from malignant ones. The frequently used "melanoma" markers are mostly melanosomal markers, therefore they are not helpful for this diagnostic purpose either. More recently, novel FISH kits have been developed analyzing characteristic copy number alterations specific for malignant melanoma. Though melanosomal markers are helpful in differencial diagnostics, the presence of normal melanocytes in various tissues (lymph nodes, intestine or brain) requires application of molecular techniques when melanoma metastasis is in question.
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis Egyetem, Klinikai Központ, Budapest, Hungary. jtimar@gmail.com
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tímár
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hársing
authors.forename: Beáta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Somlai
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D020460:Melanosomes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014781:Viscera / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins